SMU Acceptance Rate

So, you’re thinking about applying to Southern Methodist University (better known as “SMU”), and you’re curious about your chances of admission. Well, we’re here to help! Of course, there are a lot of factors in the admissions process, and it’s impossible to accurately predict whether you’ll be admitted or not. However, the most important factors in the admissions game are your GPA and test scores. So, using those as a measure, we can give you an estimate of your chances.

With an acceptance rate of 49%, admission to Southern Methodist University (SMU) is competitive. Based on our analysis, to have a good chance of being admitted, you need to be at the top of your class and have an SAT score of close to 1400, or an ACT score of around 29.

Not quite there? Try taking our SAT prep course and You’ll still have a chance of getting in, but it’s in the single digits. Let’s take a closer look at SMU admission statistics.

SMU Admissions Statistics

SMU’s acceptance rate in 2017 was 49%. For students applying to the class of 2021, out of 13,250 applicants, SMU admitted about 6,482. The average GPA of admitted applicants was 3.64, the average ACT score was 29, and the average SAT score was 1370.

For students who took the ACT, the 25th percentile score of successful applicants was 28, and the 75th percentile score was 32.

For students who took the SAT, the 25th percentile score was 1300. The 75th percentile score was 1470.

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If you’re somewhere in the middle of these numbers, remember that a high test score can compensate for a slightly lower GPA, and vice versa. If you’re at the lower end, it helps if you’re a diverse applicant, the child of an alum, or have incredible personal achievements. Still, at the 25th percentile, your chances of getting in are in the low single digits.

Other aspects of your application, such as athletics, extracurricular and recommendations, are important, but will likely only make a difference for admission if you’re in the 75th percentile range for your GPA and SAT/ACT scores.

As we said, admission to SMU is competitive. Even if SMU is your dream school, and even if you’re in the 75th percentile, you’ll still want to make sure you apply to a wide variety of schools to ensure you’ll gain admission somewhere.

Generally, you should have at least three safety schools (where you are in the 75th percentile of GPA/test scores), three reach schools (where you are in the 25th percentile of GPA/test scores) and three target schools (where you are near the average for GPA/test scores) on your list.

OK, so you’ve decided to apply. We took a look at SMU’s admissions requirements to help you get everything in order.

SMU Application Requirements

To apply to SMU, you’ll need to fill out either the SMU Online Application, Common Application, ApplyTexas Application or Coalition Application, submit an ACT or SAT score, pay the $60 application fee, submit an Early Decision Agreement Form (if you applying for Early Decision), submit your high school transcript, submit counselor and teacher recommendations, and submit an extracurricular resume. Everything should be submitted by November 1st for Early Action, and January 15th for Regular Decision.

Here’s a full list of application requirements:

Fill out either the SMU Online Application, Common Application, ApplyTexas Application or Coalition Application

Submit an ACT score or SAT score

Pay the $60 application fee

Submit an Early Decision Agreement Form (if you applying for Early Decision

Submit your high school transcript

Submit counselor and teacher recommendations

Submit an extracurricular resume

The application deadline is November 1st for Early Action and January 15th for Regular Decision.

Have you been admitted to SMU? Congratulations! Below is a glimpse of what your classmates will be like.

SMU Admitted Students Profile

If you matriculate at SMU, you’ll be joining a diverse class, with students from all over the U.S. and the world, and have a chance to study in dozens of fields.

Here are some interesting facts about the recently admitted class:

Roughly 50% are male and 50% are female

8.2% of students are international

SMU has a diverse class, as well, with a large number of people of color. The ethnicities of admitted applicants are:

International: 8.2%

Underrepresented minority: 0.1%

Two or more races: 4.3%

White: 70%

What do these admitted students plan to study? SMU offers dozens of majors, and students matriculating there pursue a wide number of subjects. Here is a list of some of the top programs:

SMU Tuition Figures

At $69,883, SMU’s cost of attendance is astronomical. But, don’t panic! Most incoming students receive some form of financial aid, and the average award is $22,210.

Here’s a fuller look at SMU tuition and financial aid in 2017:

Total budget: $69,883

Average financial aid package: $22,210

The average student debt of a SMU graduate is $29,601

Now, what is life like at SMU? Let’s take a look.

Campus Location

SMU’s main campus is located in the downtown area of Dallas, Texas.

SMU’s campus covers portions of the town of Highland Park, and also sections of University Park and Dallas. It was also recognized as one of the most beautiful campuses in the country by Conde Nast Traveler in 2016.

Remember, you’re going to SMU for its excellent academics! Below is a look at what academic life will be like.

SMU Academics

SMU has dozens of majors. Some of the school’s more interesting majors are:

Anthropology

Business Administration and Management

Civil Engineering

Creative Writing

Dance

Entrepreneurship

Financial Planning and Services

Geophysics and Seismology

Insurance

Journalism

Liberal Arts and Sciences

Mechanical Engineering

Operations Research

Physics

Religion

Statistics

Now, let’s take a look at life outside the classroom at SMU.

Student Life at SMU

SMU has hundreds of student organizations, covering academic interests, creative and performing arts, cultural and racial initiatives, gender and sexuality affinity groups, government and politics interests, and various media and publications.

Here’s a sampling of SMU’s student activities:

AEM (Association of Mexican Entrepreneurs)

Bhakti Yoga Club

Boulevard Baking

Disciples on Campus

Entrepreneurship Club

Feminist Equality Movement

Hip Hop Club

Italian Club

Japanese Cultural Club

Le Cordon SMeU

MakerTruck Crew

Mustang Mavericks

Not On My Campus

Peruna Handlers

Real Estate Club

SMU Mustang Martial Arts

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Are you an athlete? SMU’s got plenty of options for you.

SMU Athletics

SMU offers a large number of intercollegiate sports, with extensive varsity, as well as club, offerings, for both men and women. So, if you’re not up to varsity level, remember there are plenty of club and intramural sports to try out for, too.

SMU’s sports include:

Baseball

Football

Golf

Swimming & Diving

Soccer

Tennis

Who might you become with a SMU degree? Let’s take a look at some well-known and successful alums:

Notable Alums

SMU has produced politicians, business tycoons, entertainers, musicians, media figures, and leaders in dozens of other fields.

Here’s a list of some particularly well-known alums:

Texas governor Bill Clements

British Airways CEO Alex Cruz

Kroger Co. President David B. Dillon

Nobel Prize-winning physicist James Cronin

Actress Kathy Bates

Actor Powers Boothe

Film director Tsui Hark

Entrepreneur Kourtney Kardashian

Playwright Beth Henley

NFL running back Eric Dickerson

Professional golfer Payne Stewart

And this is only a partial list!

Remember!

Getting into SMU is competitive. Don’t despair if you get a no. If you have a strong GPA and high test scores, you have a great chance of getting into at least one of the more competitive schools. And if you don’t, remember: where you go is NOT who you are. If you work hard, you’ll end up at a school that’s right for you, and still get a great education.

If you need to boost your GPA or test scores before application time rolls around, you should consider signing up for a course with Prep Expert. We offer one-on-one tutoring and classes, both in-person and online, at locations throughout the United States.

Our expert teachers and tutors will not only share with you tried and true methods for improving your score, but also help you correct deficiencies in any subject that you’re having difficulty with—English, Writing, Mathematics or Science.

Additionally, online classes can be watched On Demand, so if you miss a class due to your busy schedule, you can catch it online later. We have helped hundreds of students get the scores they need to attend the school of their dreams.

With an acceptance rate of 49%, admission to Southern Methodist University (SMU) is competitive. Based on our analysis, to have a good chance of being admitted, you need to be at the top of your class and have an SAT score of close to 1400, or an ACT score of around 29.

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